News (Media Awareness Project) - CN BC: Laws to Be Toughened for Driving While on Drugs |
| Title: | CN BC: Laws to Be Toughened for Driving While on Drugs |
| Published On: | 2008-07-01 |
| Source: | Prince George Citizen (CN BC) |
| Fetched On: | 2008-07-05 22:36:08 |
LAWS TO BE TOUGHENED FOR DRIVING WHILE ON DRUGS
A new federal law taking effect on Wednesday will help police crack
down on drug-impaired drivers.
New provisions will allow police to administer roadside tests similar
to those currently used to detect alcohol impairment.
Drivers who refuse the roadside test will be subject to a $1,000 fine
- - the same penalty that is imposed for refusing the
breathalyser.
Previously, drivers suspected of being high can decline a sobriety
test. Police are also obligated to tell offenders that the tests
aren't mandatory and the results could be used against them in court.
The new law also imposes tougher penalties for all impaired drivers.
Those caught driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol will now
face at least a $1,000 fine for a first offence, a minimum of 30 days
in jail for a second offence and 120 days in jail if they are caught a
third time.
Part of the Conservatives' omnibus Tackling Violent Crime Act, the
controversial new law was the subject of intense debate in Parliament
before it was passed this year after three failed attempts. "I have
had ample experience and history in toughening laws for impaired
driving so this good news ends many years of Liberal quibbling and
finally delivers for communities and families," Cariboo-Prince George
MP Dick Harris said.
The new law won applause from both the Canadian Automobile
Association.
"The measures contained in this new law will ensure that police have
the tools necessary to remove drug impaired drivers from our roads,"
said CAA president Tim Shearman. "And it couldn't have some at a
better time. Summer driving season marks a time when more and more
families will be on Canada's roadways."
Also coming into effect on Wednesday are tougher laws for dangerous
and high-risk offenders. Crown prosecutors will be able to more easily
obtain dangerous offender designations -- which carry and indefinite
sentence -- and require parole boards to take the designation into
account when considering requests to move an inmate to a
lower-security prison.
A new federal law taking effect on Wednesday will help police crack
down on drug-impaired drivers.
New provisions will allow police to administer roadside tests similar
to those currently used to detect alcohol impairment.
Drivers who refuse the roadside test will be subject to a $1,000 fine
- - the same penalty that is imposed for refusing the
breathalyser.
Previously, drivers suspected of being high can decline a sobriety
test. Police are also obligated to tell offenders that the tests
aren't mandatory and the results could be used against them in court.
The new law also imposes tougher penalties for all impaired drivers.
Those caught driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol will now
face at least a $1,000 fine for a first offence, a minimum of 30 days
in jail for a second offence and 120 days in jail if they are caught a
third time.
Part of the Conservatives' omnibus Tackling Violent Crime Act, the
controversial new law was the subject of intense debate in Parliament
before it was passed this year after three failed attempts. "I have
had ample experience and history in toughening laws for impaired
driving so this good news ends many years of Liberal quibbling and
finally delivers for communities and families," Cariboo-Prince George
MP Dick Harris said.
The new law won applause from both the Canadian Automobile
Association.
"The measures contained in this new law will ensure that police have
the tools necessary to remove drug impaired drivers from our roads,"
said CAA president Tim Shearman. "And it couldn't have some at a
better time. Summer driving season marks a time when more and more
families will be on Canada's roadways."
Also coming into effect on Wednesday are tougher laws for dangerous
and high-risk offenders. Crown prosecutors will be able to more easily
obtain dangerous offender designations -- which carry and indefinite
sentence -- and require parole boards to take the designation into
account when considering requests to move an inmate to a
lower-security prison.
Member Comments |
No member comments available...
